Chelsea have reportedly identified an emerging La Liga striker as potential competition for Nicolas Jackson.
Despite possessing the fifth-best attacking record in the Premier League this campaign, the Blues have struggled in the final third in recent months.
As well as Cole Palmer going off the boil in terms of creativity and goals, Jackson has been absent since the start of February with a hamstring injury.
Although the Senegal international has not scored since December, Enzo Maresca has missed the pressing capabilities that accompany his nine strikes and five assists in 23 Premier League appearances this campaign.
According to Fichajes, co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital are contemplating returning to Villarreal to negotiate a deal for another Yellow Submarine striker.
© Imago
Chelsea left impressed with Barry?
The report suggests that Chelsea may be willing to spend in the region of €40m (£33.43m) to sign Thierno Barry.
In his first season with Villarreal, the 22-year-old has chipped in with nine goals and three assists from 27 outings in La Liga.
Coincidentally, Chelsea acquired the services of Jackson from Villarreal on the back of him netting 12 goals and four assists from 26 outings in the same division during 2022-23.
Barry, who can be deployed across the forward line, earned his move to Estadio de la Ceramica following his performances for Swiss side Basel, where he scored 20 goals and provided five assists from his 41 appearances in all competitions.
Although the Frenchman has a contract in place until 2029, Villarreal may consider any opportunity to make a substantial profit on a player who cost just €14m (£11.7m) last summer.
© Imago
Why would transfer be considered unusual move?
While Chelsea have made a habit of trying to acquire as much young talent as possible under the Boehly and Clearlake regime, signing Barry at this stage would make little sense.
At the age of 22, Barry has only just won his first caps for France Under-21s. Despite context being required due to the vast amount of quality in Les Bleus’ ranks, an earlier appearance would have been expected it Barry was going to succeed at the top.
Furthermore, none of his goal contributions in La Liga have been versus a major club. Three of his nine goals came against Leganes, while Celta Vigo – on the second weekend of the season – represent the most notable team that he has netted against.
Despite his 1.95m aerial presence being an obvious plus, Barry has only starred 18 of his 27 La Liga outings this campaign, hardly the background to make an immediate impact at Stamford Bridge.
